(BIVN) – As the Emergency Water Restriction remains in effect for North Kona, officials have started to see a decline in the water level in some tanks.

Specifically, the tanks that service the general area between the Mākālei Fire station to just south of the Palani Road and Māmalahoa highway junction have lower water levels. These areas include, but are not limited to, Mākālei Estates, Kona Hills, Palisades, Wainani / Lokahi Makai, Kaiminani Drive (including all side streets), Kona Acres, and Hina Lani Drive (including all side streets), the Department of Water Supply said today.

“Without everyone’s continued cooperation, there will be areas that will experience periodic loss of water service or lower water pressures,” a Wednesday update stated. “ALL residents and customers in North Kona must continue to restrict water use to health and safety needs (drinking, cooking, and hygiene purposes).”

With five wells down in Kona since August 13, customers have been under a mandatory water restriction. However, officials have been saying that the levels have been maintained, thanks to the community’s continued efforts to restrict water use during this time.

Water Supply is still allowing limited hand watering of precious plants, on occasion, and recommend doing so at night to reduce evaporation, and also suggest making use of the County’s free mulch to preserve moisture around plants.

Use of sprinklers (manual or automatic) for lawns and grass areas is still prohibited. The restriction also prohibits the draining and refilling of swimming pools, hot tubs, water fountains, etc.

“Customers should take appropriate measures to reduce the loss of existing water in swimming pools and hot tubs, such as checking the pool for leaks and consulting a pool supplier for appropriate pool covers,” Water Supply says. “In addition, customer should ensure proper operation and maintenance of pool pump equipment.”

There is some hope that Kona could get out of this situation soon. “The installation process has begun for both the Hualālai and Palani Deepwell repairs,” water officials said Wednesday. “Contractor has two (2) crews working on both repairs concurrently. At this time, the anticipated completion of Hualālai Deepwell repair is this weekend, with Palani Deepwell repair to follow shortly thereafter.”

Potable water can be obtained from a portable water tanker located on Hina Lani Street below Anini Street as well as water spigots along Ane Keohokalole Highway, between Kealakehe High School and Palani Road. “Please bring your own drinking water containers to fill,” officials say. “We also recommend that residents store a sufficient amount of water for basic household needs, such as drinking, cooking, and hygiene purposes, in the event of service disruptions.”